Clayton retired this past January and his second hurdle to conquer is that of the publishing world. He's written a book aptly titled Taking up Space, in honor of his dad's admonishment to not just take up space. While there is an offer to print this book, negotiations are still underway. And there is an "exciting" chapter in his book that answers the intimate question of how do astronauts go to the bathroom called The Void of Outer Space.

Great news! The manuscript for my upcoming "memoir;" Takin' Up Space!, is now with the University of Nebraska Press. They hope to publish the book around December of 2014! I am very excited how things are progressing… we just sent off the pictures that will be included within the book. I still feel like a novice, but I am learning about this business all the time and my excitement is growing as it continues to move toward completion. My dear friend Nevada Barr (NY Times Best Selling Mystery writer, and author of the Anna Pigeon series) just signed off to do the forward for my book. How awesome is that?! As I related to my followers before, the book will tell my story, from the time of my application, through training and spaceflight, ending with my retirement. I hope you will be as excited as I am!

garymilgrom

Kudos to the UNP who are rapidly becoming the leaders in space history books.

cspg

The folks at Springer-Praxis will appreciate!

ColinBurgess

I can confirm that Clay Anderson's book is indeed being published by UNP, but not as part of the Outward Odyssey series. It will instead be a stand-alone publication. As the only Nebraska-born NASA astronaut it's a great thrill to have him as part of UNP's ongoing interest in publishing books on space exploration.

Robert Pearlman

Clay Anderson's book has a new title and a release date:

It's time! The University of Nebraska Press has given me an official publication date of June 1, 2015 for my first book: "The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut!" I am one excited author-to-be! Stay tuned for more details. Cover art will be due out soon.

What's it like to travel at more than 850 MPH, riding in a supersonic T-38 twin turbojet engine airplane? What happens when the space station toilet breaks? How do astronauts "take out the trash" on a spacewalk, tightly encapsulated in a space suit with just a few layers of fabric and Kevlar between them and the unforgiving vacuum of outer space?

The Ordinary Spaceman puts you in the flight suit of U.S. astronaut Clayton C. Anderson and takes you on the journey of this small-town boy from Nebraska who spent 167 days living and working on the International Space Station, including more than forty hours of space walks.

Having applied to NASA fifteen times over fifteen years to become an astronaut before his ultimate selection, Anderson offers a unique perspective on his life as a veteran space flier, one characterized by humility and perseverance.

From the application process to launch aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, from serving as a family escort for the ill-fated Columbia crew in 2003 to his own daily struggles — family separation, competitive battles to win coveted flight assignments, the stress of a highly visible job, and the ever-present risk of having to make the ultimate sacrifice — Anderson shares the full range of his experiences. With a mix of levity and gravitas, Anderson gives an authentic view of the highs and the lows, the triumphs and the tragedies of life as a NASA astronaut.

When I asked on Twitter about book tour stops in NY, NJ or Philadelphia, Anderson Tweeted back:

NYC Book Expo May 30, 31. Spread the word baby! Hoping to get some interviews, @ABC

Robert Pearlman

Though Amazon still has the book as shipping on June 1, the University of Nebraska Press lists "The Ordinary Spaceman" as in stock and shipping. From Clay Anderson:

No more pre-ordering required! It's HERE!!!

OWL

“The Ordinary Spaceman”: The title says it all. Although not a household name this memoire says it like it is. From a small town in Nebraska to spending 167 days on board the International Space Station to taking the “ultimate leap of faith” with 3 exhilarating space walks, Clayton tells it all.

After years of being an engineer with NASA, Clayton describes in great detail the trials and tribulations of the Astronaut selection process. Read about his 14 unsuccessful applications and his innovative change of tact to secure success on his 15th application. Clayton is clearly a highly motivated individual with enormous amounts of perseverance and clearly describes both the low and high points from a very self-effacing perspective.

Prior to his flight, Clayton took on the responsibilities of a Family Escort for the ill-fated Columbia mission in February 2003. The hurt and sorrow for both his colleagues and their families are written in great detail and comes right from the heart.

Learn about his frustrations with NASA bureaucracy and mission control and his own self-analysis that drove him to apologise. Claytons strive to “get the job done” to the best of his ability in the most efficient way did not sit easy with NASA. His can do attitude would have been a better fit in the days of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.

This is not a typical sanitised rose tinted spectacle version look at NASA and the space programme but an honest and well balanced view of an ordinary guy who did extraordinary things. A very entertaining read that will bring tears of laughter and sadness in equal measures.

gareth89

Glad to hear the great review, my copy is in the post, looking forward to a good holiday read!

BMckay

One Giant Leap, Inc. will be hosting Clay at numerous locations all over Massachusetts in July. If you want to help us out, please order a book through us!

We helped arrange book signing at places that are appropriate for him. The Basketball Hall of Fame, the Boston Museum of Science, a local library and we will take in a Red Sox vs. Yankees game.

(If anyone is interested, I can can get you a signed book and ship it, $60 total for overseas and $42 for in the U.S. They would be shipped out by July 20th.)

BMckay

We spent a great deal of time with Clay during his book tour of Massachusetts. He was engaging, honest, funny and a great guy. If you ever get a chance to hear him speak, please do. But mostly please buy the book.

We could have sold more but the places did not place the order in on time so we only could sell what I brought. We sold out! So if you ever have a book signing, purchase the book real early.

Please take the time to read the book and send in reviews!

p51

Got my copy on the way from Amazon right now.

Ronpur

I saw Clay at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex today and picked up his book. Not enough time to stay for the autograph session, but his Astronaut Encounter was amazing, the best I have seen so far.

(Word of warning, if you ever get a photo done with an astronaut at one of these events, make sure you check it before you leave. It seems the gentleman operating the camera didn't hit the correct button, leaving me with no photo. And I didn't look until Clay had left. At least I have the memory of his show...)

astro-nut

Just finished reading Clay's book and found it to be very interesting and informative. A great read!